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Pregnancy after 35: Healthy moms, healthy babies
Many women are delaying pregnancy well into their 30s and beyond — and delivering healthy babies. Take good care of yourself as you prepare for baby's arrival.
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you're older than 35 and hoping to get pregnant, you're in good company. Many women are delaying pregnancy well into their 30s and beyond — and delivering healthy babies. Take special care to give your baby the best start.
Understand the risks
The biological clock is a fact of life — but there's nothing magical about age 35. It's simply the age that's considered the threshold for various risks. For example:
- It may take longer to get pregnant. You're born with all the eggs you'll ever have. As you reach your early 30s, the eggs tend to decline in quality — and you may ovulate less frequently, even if you're still having regular periods. Does this mean you can't get pregnant? Of course not. It may simply take longer. If you're older than 35 and have been unable to conceive for six months, you may want to consult your health care provider for advice.
- You're more likely to have a multiple pregnancy. Age-related hormonal changes may cause you to release more than one egg at a time, which boosts the odds of conceiving nonidentical (fraternal) twins. The use of assisted reproductive technologies — such as in vitro fertilization — also may play a role. Since these procedures typically enhance ovulation, they're more likely to result in twins or other multiples.
- You're more likely to develop gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs only during pregnancy, and it's more common as women get older. Tight control of blood sugar through diet, exercise and other lifestyle measures is essential. Sometimes, medication is needed as well.
- You may need a C-section. Many factors may be at play here. Older mothers have a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications — such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and placenta previa. These problems can lead to a C-section delivery. Labor problems tend to be more common in first-time mothers older than age 35. And if you're carrying twins or other multiples, you'll likely need a C-section.
- The risk of chromosome abnormalities is higher. Babies born to older mothers have a higher risk of certain chromosome problems, such as Down syndrome.
- The risk of miscarriage is higher. The risk of miscarriage also increases as you get older — perhaps due to the higher likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities.
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